Piano Celebration Friday Night Concert
Classical-Jazz Connections Lecture-Recital
By guest artist and author, Stuart Isacoff
Why is Chopin like Duke Ellington? Where did Mozart use boogie-woogie? What early classical composer was a closet Gospel pianist? How did Bach anticipate the rhythmic experiments of Dave Brubeck?
The boundaries between the classical and jazz traditions are more permeable than many people believe. Works from each may share similar elements in their use of melody, harmony, and even in rhythmic approaches. And what better way to explore these common threads than through improvisation, a practice that was once the domain of classical musicians (from Bach to Mozart to Liszt) but that has now become largely a fixture of the jazz world?
In this lecture and musical demonstration, Stuart Isacoff creates “marriages” between works plucked from the classical and jazz traditions, revealing the threads that connect composers living centuries and continents apart.
The results can be exhilarating and “ear” opening. Of his playing, pianist André Watts has said, “Stuart Isacoff’s music-making is original and revelatory. Subtle, brilliant use of the instrument combined with a unique musical perspective, create performances of uncommon depth. Isacoff reveals his beautiful interior world with every performance.”
